Project 10AE Miata

[Goodspeed]

First off, big thank you's go out to everyone who helped in the search and answered my questions, especially Shea (who also found this car) and Evan who took the time to show me his '99. Once his is ready for sale I encourage anyone who is in the market to take a good look at that car.

Here it is:



Details
- 1999 10th Anniversary Miata
- All stock save for Hard Dog bar
- 87k miles

I picked it up yesterday, Sat. the 1st (a week and one day after selling the Supra) in Strasburg, VA. It was previously owned by a VW dealer tech from Roanoke who bought a Subaru wagon for his kayak and outdoors equipment (that obviously a Miata falls short in carrying). Its all stock besides the bar, and has the typical 10AE stuff including Sports and PEP package items and a 6 speed.

Purpose

The "Project" in the title may be misleading, at least for a little bit. I don't immediately plan on wrenching on the car, but time will tell what my budget allows for the near future. However, this is a car I intend to learn a lot with, both with a wrench in hand and in the driver's seat. After the Supra, I wanted a newer, simpler car that had limits that were both readily achievable and comfortable to attain. The old adage that a lighter, smaller car will be more of an enjoyable driver's car in everyday situations is definitely true, as I've already tossed it around a little bit and its polar opposites from the ol' MKIII. I'm hoping to take this car to auto-x events and eventually into some sort of DE track program.

I've only put ~50 miles on it since buying it as I type this, but already I can tell this is a car that will bring much enjoyment. I still have a few Q's for the MM Miata gang though :

- Little issue: the Nardi shift knob is...broken? This was the only issue I could find while inspecting the car and obviously is a minor issue. Basically, the knob is screwed down, but freely rotates. Its as if the knob itself seperated from its inner threaded shaft, and yet you can't simply pull it off. No idea how it happened, any ideas?

- 3500+ rpm in sixth at 70mph? Maybe its a low-torque, low displacement I-4 thing I'm not used to, but are these really that "buzzy" on the highway? Leagues different than the cruiser Supra...I guess it won't be that great on gas, but oh well.

Plans

I'll probably try to do the timing belt/water pump before too long. It doesn't show in the paperwork, and the PO thought he remembered being told it had been done, but better to be safe than sorry.

In the future, I'd like to do things like Koni's and Azeni's, just light suspension and brake work.

Well, thats about it, we'll be seeing you 8)